Breeding & Racing Magazine

All Systems Go for Nature Strip

Boom sprinter Nature Strip will follow a familiar path under trainer Chris Waller’s tutelage. The son of Widden Stud stallion Nicconi is one of the favourites for the $15 million The Everest (1200m) scheduled for October, and Waller wants to follow a similar pathway to that which was successful in the autumn, however he still needs to touch base with the ownership group before signing off on the program. Already holding a confirmed slot for the rich sprint, Nature Strip is due back in Camp Waller by the end of June, reports AAP, where it’s likely he’ll target the Concorder Stakes and Premier Stakes before going to The Everest for his third-up start. "That's when he usually races at his best," confirmed Waller. "There are a couple of Melbourne options but I don't want the horse to do too much travelling.” The trainer will have split loyalties for the event as Nature Strip holds the TAB slot, however Waller is yet to pick a Everest representative for Chris Waller Racing.

Nature Strip is unlikely to go to Melbourne (pic: Mark Gatt)